demonstrative
characterized by or given to open exhibition or expression of one's emotions, attitudes, etc., especially of love or affection: She wished her fiancé were more demonstrative.
serving to demonstrate; explanatory or illustrative.
serving to prove the truth of anything; indubitably conclusive.
Grammar. indicating or singling out the thing referred to. This is a demonstrative pronoun.
Grammar. a demonstrative word, as this or there.
Origin of demonstrative
1Other words from demonstrative
- de·mon·stra·tive·ly, adverb
- de·mon·stra·tive·ness, noun
- non·de·mon·stra·tive, adjective
- non·de·mon·stra·tive·ly, adverb
- non·de·mon·stra·tive·ness, noun
- pre·de·mon·stra·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use demonstrative in a sentence
“Matters of state are not decided on the street,” he declares, wagging a finger demonstratively.
Slouching Towards Maidan: An American Hair-Trader Reflects On Ukraine’s Protests | Vijai Maheshwari | December 15, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThat is, to read Men in Space is to encounter a novelist already aware of his capabilities, at times flexing them demonstratively.
Must Read New Fiction: ‘Arcadia,’ ‘Men in Space,’ ‘The O’Briens,’ ‘Hot Pink’ | Chloë Schama, Jacob Silverman, Wendy Smith, Daniel Roberts | March 23, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTMr. Pain shook hands less demonstratively than his wife, and his leave-taking, if quiet, was not less sincere.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat | Mrs. Henry WoodAt the end of the Rains Boulte's manner towards his wife changed and became demonstratively affectionate.
Under the Deodars | Rudyard Kipling"Rupert Trevlyn is its rightful owner," said the stranger, almost as demonstratively as Nora herself could have spoken.
Trevlyn Hold | Mrs. Henry Wood
I presume, that in treating of the nature of man, I have demonstratively shewn that animals enjoy not the power of reflection.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume V (of 10) | Georges Louis Leclerc de BuffonAware that it contained nothing contraband, I opened it innocently and demonstratively.
British Dictionary definitions for demonstrative
/ (dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv) /
tending to manifest or express one's feelings easily or unreservedly
(postpositive foll by of) serving as proof; indicative
involving or characterized by demonstration: a demonstrative lecture
conclusive; indubitable: demonstrative arguments
grammar denoting or belonging to a class of determiners used to point out the individual referent or referents intended, such as this, that, these, and those: Compare interrogative, relative
grammar a demonstrative word or construction
Derived forms of demonstrative
- demonstratively, adverb
- demonstrativeness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse